Rising gasoline prices are a "very serious problem" for them and their families, 41 percent of
American voters say in a Quinnipiac University national poll released today, as another 32 percent
say gas prices are a "somewhat serious problem."

Because of rising gas prices, 58 percent of American voters say they have "cut back
significantly" on how much they drive, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University
poll finds. In a separate question, 48 percent of Americans say they have "cut back significantly"
on household spending to pay higher gas prices.

Rising gas prices have forced 33 percent of Americans to change their summer vacation
plans, while 64 percent say they have not changed their plans because of gas prices.

Asked whom they blame most for rising gasoline prices:

43 percent of American voters blame oil companies;

20 percent blame President George W. Bush;

13 percent cite supply and demand;

11 percent blame oil producing countries;

4 percent blame American drivers.

"American voters say rising gasoline prices are striking close to home, as most are cutting
back on their driving and many are reducing other household expenses. But rather than pointing
the finger at oil-producing countries, especially favorite targets such as Iran and Saudi Arabia,
two-thirds of Americans blame the oil companies and the President with roots in the oil
business," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"We pay rising prices at the pump and we read about rising oil-company profits on the
business pages," Carroll said.

"And President Bush is so unpopular now, Americans will blame him for anything that
goes wrong on his watch."

From June 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,711 American voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.4 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

30. How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and your
family lately - a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too
serious problem, or not a problem at all?

TREND: How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and
your family lately - a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not
too serious problem, or not a problem at all?

31. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly
on your household spending or not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 48% 40% 53% 48% 44% 52%
No 51 60 46 52 56 47
DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME......
<30K 30-50 50-100 >100K

Yes 66% 53% 43% 25%
No 32 47 56 75
DK/NA 1 1 - -

TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back
significantly on your household spending or not?

Jun 14 Jun 2
2007 2006

Yes 48 50
No 51 49
DK/NA 1 1

32. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly
on how much you drive or not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 58% 48% 61% 62% 53% 62%
No 41 51 37 37 46 36
DK/NA 1 1 2 2 1 1

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME......
<30K 30-50 50-100 >100K

Yes 73% 64% 53% 36%
No 24 35 46 64
DK/NA 3 1 1 -

TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back
significantly on how much you drive or not?

Jun 14 Jun 2
2007 2006

Yes 58 56
No 41 43
DK/NA 1 1

33. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you changed your summer
vacation plans?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 33% 23% 38% 35% 33% 33%
No 64 75 59 63 65 64
DK/NA 3 2 3 2 2 3

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME......
<30K 30-50 50-100 >100K

Yes 42% 36% 32% 18%
No 54 62 67 81
DK/NA 4 2 1 1

34. Who do you blame the most for the recent increase in gasoline prices -
oil producing countries, oil companies, President Bush, Americans who drive
vehicles that use a lot of gasoline or normal supply and demand pressures.